PARENTS CALL FOR SAFE CROSSING

Register for scarecrow trail

SUPERHEROES are on their way to Crowthorne as the village holds a scarecrow trail next month.

Crowthorne Trails, organised by Hatch Ride Parent Teacher Organisation, is hosting a heroes and villains themed trail in a bid to raise funds for the school and the First Days children’s charity.

This is the group’s first event of the year following last October’s trail which raised £2,802.

Residents are being invited to get involved by making their own scarecrows and take part in the trail throughout the week.

The Scarecrow Trail will take place between Saturdays October 22, and October 29.

Registration for displays is open now at a cost of £5 for residents and £20 for businesses. n For more information, or to register a display, visit: crowthornetrails.org

Parents call for crossing and 20mph speed limit

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

PARENTS attending one of the borough’s newest schools have signed a petition calling for a speed limit to be reduced to 20mph.

More than 500 people put their name to the call for road safety measures to be installed on William Heelas Way, the home of Floreat Montague Park School.

Heather Murray, a resident in the estate since 2016 and parent of two, presented the signatures at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council on Thursday, September 22, backed by the schools headteacher Patrick Pritchard.

She said: “The petition is calling for working in Borough Council to put in place some essential interventions that keep our children safe as they go to and from the school.”

The 20mph zone was needed because, now that a bridge over the railway line had opened, cars were speeding through the estate.

“From the south, you go over a hump bridge to go over the railway followed by a sharp left turn immediately beside the school,” she said.

“There are no speed limit signs and no barriers to protect pedestrians on the pavement.”

Mrs Murray said that other schools had a 20mph speed limit, meaning “the precedent had been set and our school should not be an exception”.

Parents also wanted railings to be installed, and a crossing to be reinstated.

“There has previously been a painted crossing in place but the white lines were removed when the road surface was relayed,” Mrs Murray said.

“This crossing is indicated on the safe route of school but it’s no longer official, although it’s used by parents and children daily.

“The danger of this is that there are dips in the curb and there is a section in the middle of the road for people to wait. But without the white lines. It is leading to increase ambiguity and therefore danger as some cars stop when they see pedestrians but others don’t.”

She also said pupils in school year four upwards were being encouraged to walk to school by themselves to create independence.

A previous ward councillor, Julian McGhee Sumner, had arranged with developer David Wilson Homes to fund half of the costs for reinstating the crossing, so the petition called on Wokingham Borough Council to fund the remainder of the costs.

“Ultimately, our key concern is the speed of traffic on the road outside our primary school, Floreat Montague Park,” she concluded. “We’re asking the Council to take preventative steps to reduce the chance of an accident … We believe it’s in the best interest of all children that they can walk and cycle to school in safety.” n More council news pages 34-35

PARENTS AND CHILDREN ARE CALLING FOR A SAFE CROSSING AND A 20MPH SPEED LIMIT ON WILLIAM HEELAS WAY IN WOKINGHAM PICTURE:

Charles Margetts SHINFIELD residents may be required to find alternative routes due to a road closure.

Overnight works are currently being conducted on Hollow Lane, Shinfield closed between Cutbush Lane and Wychelm Road.

They run until Friday, September 30.

The closure will allow Wokingham Borough Council to carry out plane inlay surfacing.

A diversion route will be in place on Shinfield Eastern Relief Road.

It will only be in place between 8pm-6am. n For more information, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk

AN EVENT of live musical theatre numbers is coming to a local sports and social club.

Fans of West End shows will enjoy the evening of musicals, which is presented by Platform YP Events, a group of talented youngsters who have performed at Edinburgh Festival.

The show takes place at Emmbrook Sports and Social Club in Wokingham, RG41 1JB.

The music begins on Saturday, October 1, at 7pm.

All tickets cost £8. n For tickets and information search for An Evening Of Musicals at: www.ticketsource.co.uk

Musicals night

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www.dogandduckemmbrook.co.uk The Dog & Duck, Matthewsgreen Road, Emmbrook, Berkshire, RG41 1JT

‘We’re not finished’: Fundraiser vows to return

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today

A WOKINGHAM resident has expressed his desire to finish a fundraising effort he was unable to finish.

Taking on the daunting Three Peaks challenge this weekend, Mark Summers and friend Paul Cowan were forced to abort their attempt due to dangerous weather.

The pair had completed two of the three peaks when they had to stop.

Mark said: “It’s a real mixture of emotions. The past few days have been a rollercoaster.”

The Three Peaks challenge requires participants to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden, negotiating an ascent of 3,064 metres.

After completing the first two climbs and descents, the pair were faced with weather warnings as gales and poor visibility put paid to their chances of completing the route.

Mark, whose wife Jeannine has multiple sclerosis (MS), was raising money for Berkshire MS Therapy Centre.

He explained: “My wife kept reminding me I’m 57-years-old, and I promised I wouldn’t take any risks.

“Paul and I made an agreement that if one of us couldn’t go on, we would stop together.

“I’m very disappointed. We worked well together, and Ken, who drove us, was amazing too.”

Despite the set-back, Mark said he is more motivated than ever to complete the challenge, believing the extra time will allow the pair to regain their fitness.

It will also allow his childhood best friend, Ken Critcher, who was unable to take part this time around due to injury, to join them.

He explained: “We haven’t failed, the challenge is not dead. The first opportunity we get, we will be climbing [Snowden].

“If anything, I’m more determined to do it. Not for me, but for everyone at the MS centre, it’s them we’re doing it for.”

Through his JustGiving page, Mark has raised almost £2,000 so far. The page will remain open until the challenge is fully completed.

All funds raised go towards the running of the MS centre, whose operating costs are £470,000 per year.

Mark moved to Wokingham three weeks before the first Covid-19 lockdown.

He has described the town as ‘unfriendly to disabled people’, saying he and his wife have to plan routes to get around safely.

He said: “I love my wife so much, it hurts me to see her in constant pain, or when it’s hot because hot weather has a horrible effect on people with MS. She wasn’t enjoying the hot summer.

“You have to live with it, or live with someone who lives with it, to fully understand.”

“I wish I could take a bit of that struggle away from her.”

Through his efforts, he wants to raise awareness of the struggles faced by people with disabilities.

Mark believes that people can make small adjustments, such as looking where they’re going or leaving enough room for wheelchair users when walking in large groups, to make a big difference in the lives of others.

CHALLENGERS: Paul Cowan (left) and Mark Summers (right) climbed Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike, but were not able to take on Snowden due to dangerous weather conditions. Picture: Mark Summers

Evening of entertainment for Macmillan

A WOODLEY woman is organising her third variety concert to fundraise for a cause close to her heart.

Emma Macedo will host the event at The Whitty Theatre on Saturday, October 22, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Shechose to support the charity after her father was diagnosed with Myeloma in 2015.

She said: “Macmillan provided us with support and information to have a better understanding, so I thought what a better way to do so by getting together a bunch of talented people and entertaining friends and family.”

After holding two successful fundraiser shows in 2016 and 2017, she is aiming to hold a bigger and better event this year.

The show will include musicians, singers and dancers from across the region including ukulele band Chord Capers, singer songwriter Simon Williams, Selina and the Howlin Dogs, Trudi Craig and Russell Thompson.

There will also be a range of refreshments and a raffle to do that little bit extra in raising some cash. n For more information contact Emma Macedo on 07910 838112 or email: emmamacedo@aol.com n To book tickets, visit: ticketsource.co.uk/ emmamacedo SING FOR JOY: Musical sessions are a time for relaxation and some fun for people with cancer Picture: Alisa Dyson via Pixabay Take time to sing for joy

A CANCER support group is offering a chance for people affected by cancer to enjoy singing together.

There will be opportunity for coffee and chat, before singing the blues away with Sabrina, in Sing For Joy.

The Wokingham Cancer Support Network helps people living in the borough.

Jo Mason is currently the group’s operations manager.

She says: “We offer a number of different services for people who are affected by cancer, or who are caring for someone with cancer.

“They join up to access our network, and can then receive support in lots of ways.

“One benefit of the network is peer support groups, which we facilitate by means of a number of events.

“Some, like our Sing For Joy event, are in person, but others, because people with cancer can’t always get out and about, are online.

“We have, for example, online zumba classes and there are online talks once a month.”

Wokingham Cancer Support Network also offers direct peer-to-peer suport, monthly meet-ups, online support and information/signposting.

The Sing For Joy workshop is a relaxed in person singing session, with no experience needed.

Sabrina welcomes everyone, including those who don’t want to sing but would rather listen and enjoy some company.

It will be time and a safe space to focus on a fun activity.

It will also offer a chance to chat about concerns and to share experiences with others who understand.

“We would love to welcome new members to our peer support network,” says Jo.

“Membership is free.”

Sing For Joy will take place in the Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Centre in Peach Place.

The group will meet on Wednesday, October 5.

The event runs from 10.30am to noon in the Luke Room. n For more information, or to join the Cancer Support Network, visit: www.involve.community/ cancer

WADE wine tasting

A WINE tasting evening will take place at The WADE Day Centre next month, with six high-end bottles for people to try.

Provided by Majestic Wine, these will be accompanied by notes to help compare and contrast the different flavours.

Sandy Sweet, a trustee of WADE, said: “There will be six good quality wines: a sparkling wine, two white wines, two red wines and either a rosé or a dessert wine, and we’ll also provide tapas bowls.

“Mark from Majestic Wines will give a short talk about each of the wines, he’s very highly qualified, and easy to listen to.

“You don’t need to be an expert to come along, and there’s nothing pompous about our wine tasting – it will just be relaxed and easy, in a fun environment.”

She added: “Drivers can enjoy sampling the different flavours too, as we’re providing spittoons for those who don’t want to consume alcohol.

“We had a similar event two years ago and it was very popular.”

Funds raised by the event will support the WADE Day Centre, which provides a social and caring environment for the over 60s in Wokingham and surrounding areas.

Services include arts and crafts sessions, home cooked food, minibus trips, live performances, chiropody, exercise classes, and annual fairs.

The wine tasting event will take place at the WADE Day Centre, on Reading Road, Wokingham.

A raffle will be held, and there will be an opportunity to order wines during the evening.

Doors open at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 20, and tickets cost £15.

Parking is available at the centre, with overflow parking across the road at the Masonic Hall car park.

Places are limited, so early booking is advised. n To book a table or seat log on to: www.wadecentre.org.uk